Tunnel kiln



LSSJM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TUNNEL KILN W. L. HANLEY. JR

Dec. Z0, 1927.,

Original Filed Aug. 30. 1926 Dec.. 20, 1927.

W. L. HANLEY, JR

TUNNEL KILN Original Filed Aug. 30. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2- w. L. HANLEY, JR'

TUNNEL KILN izinal Filed Aug. 30. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 pm n wv n D@ 2o, 1927.- msnm w. L. HANLEY, r.Jr-e

TUNNEL KILN Original Filed Aug. 30. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wvemtoz Application filed August 38,

lvy invention consists in the novel fea tures hereinafter' described, reference being,` had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several einbodinien of my invention, selected by me for purposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully dis-.

closed in 'the following description and claims.

My invention relates to tunnel kilns whether of the single or twin tunnel type, and more particularly to the construction and arrangement of the iiring zone or Zones thereof, whereby the construction of the kiln is greatly simplified and the cost the same cheapened, while the efficiency of the lriln is increased, and the eiiicient and intelligent control of the tiring zone or Zones greatly facilitated.

My invention also includes certain novel any Fig. is a transverse vertical sectional.

view through the firingv zone of a single tunnel kiln en'ibodyimgr my invention, the section being taken between adj'acent furnaces or burners, and showing' an arrangement in which the furnaces or burners are located on opposite sides of the tiring' chamber.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig'. 5, showing my invention applied to a single tunnel kiln having` furnaces or burners on one ide only, the section being taken between adjacentfurnaces.

In Figs. l, 2, and 3. l have shown my invention applied to a double tunnel kiln of the kind described and illustrated in my 'trainer application for Letters Patent of the United States, filed October G. i923, and `a'iven Serial No, ($66.380, in which there is a centrally located duplex tiring;` chun'iher provided with a longritudinaliy vertical central partition dividing; the chamber into two firing Zones. each provided with a row of burners or furnaces extending longitudinally thereof, the ltiln being` provided at 132,334. Renewed laay 1'?, 1927.

- end of the firing chamber with a uniarj, end section serving,` as a combined preneating and cooling Zone and communicating with both tiring zones, two parallel lines goods transporting means being provided, adapted to convey the goods carried by each, in the opposite direction to the movementl of the goods carried by the other, and each en@ tendinathrough both end sections and through one of the firing zones. In these figures, A, represents the duplex tiring` chamber located centrally with respect to the length of the kiln and provided at opposite ends with unitary cooling` and preheating chamber, one of which is indicated at nl and the other at A?. VThe duplex firing lhainber comprises the exterior walls l, l, central impervious partition wall, 2, and yeparate crown, 3, 3, of any usual or pre- Aerred construction, forming two tunnels, il, separated by the partition wall, 2, each 0f which constitutes a tiring;` zone. At the outer side of each tunnel or tiring zone is located a plurality of heat-ingr devices for direct firing', which may be of any desired character according` to the fuel which it is desired use. ln the present instance, l have shown a plurality of burners indicated at 5, which nay be supplied by gas from a 1iiain, 6, and air from a pipe, 7, connected with a suitable fan, by means of branch pipes, 8 and 9, respectively, provided with cont-rolling valves. l0 and ll, respectively, so that each of said burners, 5, for each firing zone may be separately regulated. Instead of the burners, 5, l may use a series of furnaces for the con sumption of coal or other fuel, and provide suitable means for independently regulating the heat of said furnaces.

Each of the firing' Zones is provided between the goods space which is indicated at l2. and the outer wall of the furnace, with a longitudinally extending` bridge wall, 13, parallel to the outer wall, and forming an inlet passage, il, between the said walls for the products of combustion from the furnaces which are thus carried upward, as indicated by the arrows in Fig'. 2, and disaz'ggj'ed downwardly into the adjacent ,floods space upon and through the floods to be lireil, and innueoiatcry below the goods opaco of each tiring` zone is a longitudinal channel of.' chamber, l5, to acconnnodate the cars indicated t lil, which move on rails, l?.

ach

CLL *se channels or chambers each lie between ver portion ,of the bridge wall indrcated at 13a, and the lower portion of the central partition indicated at 2n, and the partition Wall is inade of greater thickness at the part 2, thereby providing the out- Wardly inclined shoulders indicated at 2b, tor de'leeting the products across the goods space through the goods towards the adjacent bridge uall. The vertical port-ions el? `he inlet passages, lil, adj acent to each tur-nace are separated ii'onreach other by transversely disposed Walls or partitions` indicated at i8, which connect each brdge y ill, i3, with the adjacent exterior t vce Wall, l, as clearly shown in Figs. l, f2, anc. 3. Each bri Wall, 18, is provided out ide of the hihi structure, and which is preferably located below the level of the lriln licor, (indicated at` QQ), as indicated 'for example in Figs. 2 and 3,v in. which these headers, 2l., are shown as located outside'oil the liiln structure and beloivand at one side el the kiln. I prefer to locate these headers, 2li, belou7 the level oli'the eduction pa ges, 2t), and to c: unectthe said eduction pas. ages to the ln. tical passages, S23.

A in the Ylorin oiliilu illust-rated in Figs. l., ,and 3,.. have shown the if'ertical passages, 23, located entirely outside. of the adjacent kiln vwall, i, and encased in bi'iclr Worlacas- 1 by ineans of vering indicated at 24;, to retain the heat ol' the products of combustion. The passages, 2() and 23, may be 'Formed directly in the surroiuiding briclr Work and lined with lire 'ng material, and l have shown thein f iced with tire clay pipewliningsx indicat d at L0@ and respectively. It will i that the passages, 20, are located at htlyabove the level of the tops oi the ars in the adjacent tiring zone, and rior rtien olf the casiiigs, 2d, are pref-e i J nach provided with a horizontal exterior pa or aperture indicated at 25, which is preierably olf less vertical diameter l the passages, 20 and 23, but ot a horiaantal diameter equal to or greater than said passages. lhese apertures, 25, serve a tive-fold purpose. ln each of said apertures, l prefer to locate acontrolling damper Which is conveniently niade in the form of a block ott con'ihustion described.'

c and as these sighting passages are provided at intervals, throughout the length of the tiringV chamber, the operators can readily eterniine the proper regulation of the` iurvnaces adjacent to each sighting aperture by observing the color or' the lower coursesoiI the goods which at the cooler end of the hiring zoneivill appear black, and at the khotter end will have arrived at incandescence.

rflic outer portion oit each ot' the apertures, noti; illy closed by a suitableclosure indire-Jed at This niay be `formed in any desired Way, but I conveniently employ a block of lire brick litting said aperture easily, sothat ity may be removed in order to perinit the adjustment oi the danipers by a suitable nietal implenient,` or to permit the use of the sighting passage, 2T. The downward passage, 23, communicating' with eaclrtransverse passage, Q perinits of this arrangenient just described, and as the products ol conillustion are Withdrawn through these passages, 20 and Q3, and the collecting-flue or header, 2l, l'lysuction, the sighting aassages may be safely used, as upon the reinoval olf' the closures, 538, airy Will be drawn in on account of the reduction of pressure in said passages and the llames and hot products will be prevented, by this suction from being projected outwardly through these sighting apertures. Y

Thesuctionfor withdrawing the products of conilnistiou through the eductioupports and passages may be obtained in any desired manner. On account et' the high ll. perature, th e products would be lik injuriouslyal'ect a fan if, they Were drawn through it, andl find it convenient to create this suctionfby an injector or nozzles operatively connected with the ian or bloivei', and disrharging a comparatively sinall stream of air into the collect-ing pipe or lue, 2l, beyondthe furnace or i: o connectedtherewlth, s as tofifrea te the necessary suction.` In the present instance in il l, I have shown by way of example each of the collecting liues, 2l, provided with an injector nozzle, 29, connected with a ian, 30, for this purpose. Obviously, both nozzles could be supplied by a single lian or blower, it desired. The eduetlon lues or passages, 21,niay be linally connected With stack ay pipe or line.

lill

or uptake discharging into the atmosphere after so much of the heat as is desired, has been recovered, and obviously if the draft of the uptake is sufficient to produce the desired degree of vacuum or suction in the collecting pipes or ilues, 21, the size of the injector bloivers may be reduced, or they may be disposed With altogether. The hot products of combustion Withdrawn from the iring zone Will be carried away preferably to some other point Where their heat can be recovered and used for some useful purpose, as for heating the air supplied to the furnaces, or for use in connection with the preheating zone by means of a recujgei'ator or otherwise, or for use in connection With the drier. rllhese features, however, form no part in my present invention, and are therefore not herein particularly illustrated or described.

In F ig. 1, I have also shown by Way of illustration a fan, 31, connected `with each of the air pipes, 7, for supplying air to the burners or furnaces.

In the operation of my improved kiln, the construction of which has just been described, it ivill be understood that there is a roiv of cars extending from one end of the kiln to the other, and loadedivith brick or other articles to be fired, on each of the tracks, and that in the end sections of the kiln the incoming Ware is preheated and Water-smoked preferably by means of the red Ware on the cars of thefadjacent tracks moving in the opposite direction, so that the preheated Ware is brought to a temperature approXin/iately that kof the entering end of the firing Zone through which it is to pass, by the time it reaches the firing zone. rlhe burners or furnaces Will be so regulated as to produce in each ring Zone a gradually increasing temperature, or in other Words a rising heat curve, the heat curve of one tiring Zone being the reverse of the heat curve in the other firing Zone. By the proper `regulation of the controlling valves, 10 and 11, and the eduction valves, 26, these heat curves `can be accurately determined and maintained. In the construction previously described, by removing the closures, 28, opposite any one of the eduction ports, 19, the operator can see the exact condition of the bricks or other Ware occupying the lowest position on the adjacent car in the adjacent tiring Zone, and can thus determine the neces sary adjustment of the valves and danipers before mentioned, so as to insure that the Ware shall be gradually brought to the desired temperature and tired while passing through the appropriate ring zone, The closures, 28, may also be removed for adjusting the sliding dampers, 26, as before stated, and also for the purpose of inserting a pyrometer for the `purpose of determining the exact temperature of the adjacent portion of the firing Zone. This construction,

instance, the collecting fines, 121, are located outside of kiln proper, but Within vertical planes projected downwardly from the ei;- terior of the outer Walls of the firing chainber, or in other ivords beneath the tiring chamber. The vertically disposed eduction pasages, 123, are therefore connected with the horizontal passages, 120, closely adjacent to the eduction ports, 119, and at the rear end of each of the passages, 120, is a horizontal exterior passage, 125, of less Width vertically than the passage, 120, in Which is located the sliding chamber or valve, 12b'.

.The outer ends of the horizontal passages,

125, are provided with the removable closures, 128, which can be removed to enable the dampers, 126, to be regulated by means of a suitable tool, or for the insertion of a pyroineter above said dampers, or for the purpose of sighting the lower layers of ware on the trucks or tunnel cars at any portion of the adjacent tiring zone. The operation of the kiln illustrated in F ig. el, Will be eX- actly the same as that previously described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and l8.

ln Figure 5, l have illustrated the application of my invention to a single tunnel kiln having the iiring chamber thereof provided with a ronv ot burners or furnaces on cach side, which may he for example of the type illustrated in Fig. in this instance, the tiring chamber is shown as provided with the side Walls, 201, and a single crown` 202i, a single goods sjface, 212, for the passage of a single row of tunnel cars, 216, on track rails, 21'?, located in the usual channel, 215, and the tiring chamber is -provided in this instance with tivo bridge Walls, 213, forming vertical passages, 218, indicated in dotted lines, for conveying products ofy combustion from the burners to the space, 20a, at the top of the chamber from whence they are directed downward through the goods ou the tunnel cars. lt is to he understood, that the-tiring chamber ivill he heated. and the ten'iperture regulated for the production of a single heat curve bv the regulation of 'the respective burners of fiu'naces in the same manner as j'n'eviously described ivith reference to each of the iiring zones, the

only diilerence being` that in this instanceV tivo oppositely disposed sets of furnaces discharge into the same firing Zone. in this (itl `in `accordance with the desired instance,A eachv o i the bridge walls, 215 is provided with a longitudinal row et eduotion. ports, Q19-, connected by horizontalpassages, 220, and vertical passages223, with the collectino ilues or massages Q21 which 23 V L o 7 7.

sages. 2293, with casings, 22st, surrounding theV latter to conserve the heat, and these casinos are provided with the e-zterior horizontai pass es, in which are located sliding` dam leaving the sighting apertin .bor-e the saine, the passa 225, being elo ed ijr the removable cios 228., as pifevn` described. By reinovnig the closures, the dainpers can be regulated and lthe lower rois oi" .vaiie on the trucks can be actually viewed as heitere described, to asl t in "the proper regulation ot the temperatures within the i'irn zone, heat curve. It will be understood, that instead of locating the collecting passages, 221, and eductiy i passages, 223, at opposite sides of the iii chamber, they may be arranged in the came manner as indicated in Fig.` Ll, ii: pret ln Fig. 6, I have shown my invention applied to a single tunnel ltiln having its firing chanibe` presided with a single row `ot heating furnaces or burners located at one side ot the goods space only. ln this igure, whichy represents a sectional view siinilar to Figs. 3 and 5, through the tiring chamber. between adjacent furnaces. 301, represents the side walls, 308, the arch or top, 312, the goods space, Bld, one ot the tunnel trucks or cars on the rails. 317, ot the single track 313, represents the bridge wall located at one, side et the goods space, and providingthe vertical passages, 31S, from the. tifnaces or burners, indicated iii ,dottedy lines at 305, to the space, 304-, at the top ot the` chamber. 'llhe bridge wall is provided `a'. ii'itei'vils along its inner tare between adjacent Furnaces with conction ports. dit), ceniniunicatino' with hories, SQO, and rei y he collecting pas ivitliorawiig th produc..4 from the in' i? ot the cl outside .tested by casings, 23241-, in which are loca the liorin zontal exterior passages, 325, the adjustable ksliding dampers or valif'es, 326, providing the sight apertures, 327, above the saine, the passages, 325, being closed hy the r fable closures, 32S, in the nir-.nner previously desoribed. The operation of the j ,D

In this j Lebeau bei; illustrated in Figv, willbe the sapiens previously describedwith reference toeit'lier tering ware ybefore it reaches tl e tiring;

chamber. but as these teatiires form no, part ot my present invention, they arenotherein particularly illustrated or described. Such preheating and water-smoking may be conveniently ett'eeted by l prodiicts` ot combustion through a recuperator tor the purpose ot heating air` toihigli temperature, and conducting thevhot'air into the prelieating section ot thetunnel kiln.

that I claim and desire to secure by.l Let- 'ters Patent is :M`

l. A tunnel kiln having a lfiring zone located substantially centrallyof thelengtli of the kiln, and providedwith allongitiidinal goods space and direct firingrmeans ,dis-

charging their products of` combustion into the upper portion otithe goods space,A said goods space being provided at separate points longitudinally y'and adjacent to its lower portion, withl eduetionports, eduction space ot the firing zone to bey viewed from the exterior of` thekiln.

2. A tunnel kilnkvhaving a firing zone located substantially centrally of the length ot the kiln, and provided with a longitudt nal goods space anddireet tiring means discharging tlieiruproducts of combustion into the upper portion of tliergoods space, said goods space being provided at separate points longitudinally `and adjacent to its `lower portion, with ediictionports, @duction passages connected therewith, rmeans lfor 4crenting suction in saidy eduction passages, Y and horizontally disposed exterior passages `extending in alignment with portionsiot .saidpdiiction Aports to tlie.,exteiior of the kiln to permit the goods in the lower portion of the goods space of the tiring zone vto be viewed from tliejexterior. et the kiln.. 3. A tunnel kiln having a firing'z'one lo- .cated substantially centrally of the length of the kiln, andl provided with a longitudinal goods space and directring rilliis discharging their products of combustion into the upperl portionv of the goodsspace, said goods space being provided at separate points longitudinally and adjacent to f its lower portion, with eduction ports, eduction passages connected therewith,l and adjustablereseletnedevee 911 sachet seiialeslpissing.; l the hot till tion passages, and horizontally disposed exterior aassages extending from each of said eduction passages, adjacent to the controlling devices therefor, and in alignment with a portion of the adjacent eduction port, to the exterior ot the kiln,I to permit the adjustment of said regulating devices, and to permit the goods in the lower portion of the goods space of the tiring zone to be viewed from the exterior of the kiln.

4. A tunnel kiln having a iring zone located substantially centrally of the length of the kiln, and provided with a longitudinal goods space and direct tiring means discharging their products of combustion into the upper portion oi the goods space, said goods space being provided at separate points longitudinally and adjacent to its lower portion, with eduction ports, eduction passages connected therewith, and comprising each a horizontally disposed portion, and a vertically disposed portion communicating therewith, a collecting passage connected with the vertical portions of said eduction passages, a horizontally movable damper for partially closing each or' said vertical portions ot said eduction passages, a horizontally disposed exterior passage extending from the horizontal portion ot each of said eduction passages in alignment with portions oi the eduction port connected there` with, and constructed to provide a view of the goods in the lower portion of the goods space of the tiring zone from the exterior of the kiln to and permit the operation of said dampers from the exterior of the kiln and movable closing means for said exterior passages.

5. A. tunnel kiln having a firing zone located substantially centrally of the length of the kiln, and provided withv a longitudinal goods space and direct firing means discharging their products of combustion into the upper portion of the goodsspace, said goods space being provided at separate points longitudinally and adjacent to its lower portion, with eduction ports, eduction passages connected therewith, and comprising' each a horizontally disposed portion, extending from one of the eduction ports through the adjacent side wall of the kiln to the exterior of the kiln, and vertically disposed portions communicating therewith, a collecting passage outside of the kiln connected with said vertical portions of said eduction passages, and detachable closing means for the outer ends of said horizontally disposed portions of the eduction passages to provide for viewing the goods in the charging their products of combustion into the upper portion of the goods space, said goods space being provided at separate points longitudinally and adjacent to its lower portion, with eduction ports, eduction passages connected therewith, and comprising each a horizontally disposed portion, extending iroin one of the eduction ports through the adjacent side wall of the kiln to the exterior ot the kiln, and vertically disposed portions communicating therewith, a collecting passage outside of the kiln `connected with said vertical portions of said eduction passages, movable dampers located adjacent to the junction of the horizontal and vertical portions of said eduction passages, and movable closures for the outer ends of said horizontal passages to permit the adjustment of said dampers, and to afford a view or" the goods in the lower portion of the goods space from the exterior of the kiln.

7. In a tunnel kiln, the combination with the tiring zone thereof and goods supporting and conveying means movable longitudinally therethrough of a longitudinal bridge wall in said :tiring zone, providing inlet passages tor the products ot combustion between said detlecting walls and adjacent side wall of the kiln, discharging over the top of the bridge wall into the goods space, heating means for said tiring zone discharging their products of combustion into said inlet passages, transversely disposed partition walls of less height than the interior of the kiln extending from the bridge wall to the side wall of t-he kiln and located between said adjacent heating means, said bridge wall being provided with eduction ports on its inner i'ace'adjacent to the lower portion oi the goods space, each oi said ports being in alignment with one of said transverse partition walls, and eduction passages connected with said eduction ports and having nortions thereof located inv said transverse partition walls, for conducting said products of y combustion away from the goods space, said ybridge wall between adjacent ports and passages being ot solid construction and ilueless.

8. ln a tunnel kiln, the combination with the iiring zone thereof and goods supporting and conveying means movable longitudinally therethrough of a longitudinal bridge wall in said firing zone, providing inlet passages for the products of combustion between said detlecting walls and adjacent side wall of the kiln, discharging over the top of the bridge wall into the goods space, heating means tor said iiring zone discharging their products ofcombustion into said inlet passages, transversely disposed partition walls or less height than the interior of the kiln extending trom the bridge wall to the side Wall of the kiln and located between ltll) lll) ' connected with said vertical pas y wallet the kiln and'located bet horizontal passages in aligninenty with the.

respective eduction ports, and having opens ings atvtheir outer ends to pei-init the goeds in the llower part of the goods space to be viewed, and movable closures :i'or said openings.

9. In a tunnnel the firing zone thereof and goods supp'V` 'ting and conveying means movable longitudinally therethrough ot a longitudinal bridge wall in said tiring zone, providing inlet passages for the products oi combustion between said bridge wall and the adjacent side wall oit the kiln, discharging over Ahe top oi" the bridge'wall into the goods space, heating' means for said tiring :ione di iig their products of combustion into said inlet passages, transversely disposed partition walls of less height th n the interior ci 'the liiln extending rroii'ithe bridge wall to the side iii said ge wall adjacent heating means, said brio being provided with eduction ports on its inner face adjacent 4to the lower po on t" the goods space, each of scid ports bein@ alignment with one of s id transverse p tition walls, and eduction passages connecte ed with said eduetion ports and haring portions 'thereol" located in said transY partition wal ls,'for conducting said jV combustion avvia17 from the goods spare sai eduction p comprising); ll passages in alignment with tl` @duction ports and vertical ligasew C, ed. respectively therewith, coly for creatiiigsuction in said colle and eduction. passages, ineens jor ently regulating the eduction pas. nected with each flue, and each oil' l ing means being pro fl d witlii lej regulatingrneans, l'li bang p with horizontal. pa communication with the ho of said eduction passages and the eduction ports connected therew h, to peri spection ofthe goods in the lower poi of the goods space adjacent to each said eduction ports, and movable closures ttor saidpassages.

l0. In a tunnel kiln, thecoinbination with the firing zone thereot and goods supporting and conveying means movable longitudinally therethrough oit' a longitudinal kiln, the combination with bridge wall in seid firing zone, providingv inlet pasf'gagcs toi.' the products of coinbus 'ion between sind deflect-ing walls, and adje cent side wall ot the kiln, discharging over the top et' the bridge wall into the goods.

space, h )ating means for said :tiring zone discharging their products Vot combustion into said inlet passages, transversely disposed partitiony walls o 't less height than the interior oi" the kiln extending `troiii the bridge wall to the side wall of the kiln and located between raid adjacent heating means, said bridge" rfallbeing provided with eduction ports on its inner face adjacent to thelower portion oit the goods space, each of saidports l in alignment withone of said trans-V verse partition walls, and eduction `passages connected with said 'eductionports and havingportions thereof located in said transverse partition walls, for conducting, `said products of combustion away from the goods,A space, said eduction passages 'comprising horizontal portions communicatingwith the eductien'ports, and vertical portions coin-V inunicating with the horizontal portions, a collecting flue outside ofthe kiln connected with said vertical portions ofsaid eductioii `4 passages, said kiln being provided with a plurality of horizontally disposed exterior Y passages each communicating withzthe horizontal portion of one ofsaideduction passages, adjacent to its junction with the verticalportion thereof, a horizontally 'movable damper block for variably vclosing each of iid verticalportionsotsaid eduction pas-,

sages, said damper blocks beingof less vertical width, than the said exteriorpassages,

and movable closures for the outer end of saitL exterior passages, wherebysaid closures may beino'ved to permit of-the'adjustment. of said Adamper blocks, and 4to permit a view of the goods inthe lower portion of `said goods spacethrough the apertures forine d between the damper blocks, vand adjacent walls oi said exterior passages.

1l. ln a tunnelkiln, thecombination with a liringrzone thereof, and goods supporting v andconveying means movable longitudinally therethrough, ofV a vertical longitudinal bridge wall in said firing zone providvjn'gin-V wall into the vgoods space, a rowoit heating let passages for the products of lcombustion fr" between' itand the adjacent'side wallotthe kiln,r Xteiiding over the top of. the bridge disposed partitions of less heighty than the bridge wall between it and the adjacent side wall of the kiln, said bridge wall being prof vided with eduetionportsonits inner face adjacent to the lower portionvof, the goods space, transversely disposed eduction pas? connected with said eduction ports and Y extending horizontally through theA Abridge wall and through said partition Walls to the exterior or" the kiln, a Vertical eduetion passage connected with each of said horizontal passages, a longitudinally extending collecting flue exterior to the liln connected with said vertical passages, means for creating suction in said collecting flue and passages connected therewith, the outer ends o'f saidL horizontal passages being provided Witli apertures exterior tor the kiln in alignment With the respect-ive eduotion ports to permit 10 said heating means, and independent means 15 for regulating each of said eduction passages. in testimony whereof l aiiix rny signature.

lVLLlAM LEE HANLEY, JR. 

